In a statement released on Friday, Jan. 5, Frasco said the agency “sees these upcoming extended weekends as a timely opportunity, specifically advantageous in propelling our domestic tourism forward.”
The country’s post-pandemic recovery has resulted in 5.45 million international visitor arrivals in 2023, noted Frasco.
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 102 million domestic trips were recorded from 2022 to mid-2023, with domestic tourism expenditure amounting to P1.5 trillion.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) also said it recorded P1.87 trillion in internal tourism expenditure, inclusive of spending by foreign visitors and Filipinos residing abroad.
Out of P1.87 trillion, P1.5 trillion was attributed to domestic tourism spending. This includes expenses by local visitors for domestic trips and international travel docked at the country’s borders.
“There's an overwhelming sense of enthusiasm among travelers eager to make up for lost time, engaging in what has come to be known as 'revenge travel,’” she said.
Frasco remarked that the long breaks can fuel its strategies to pursue and accomplish the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023 to 2028.
She underscored the DOT’s “optimism for a tourism resurgence underpinned by an unwavering belief in the Filipino spirit and the country's inexhaustible selection of enchanting destinations.”
“The invitation extended to all Filipinos is not merely to travel but to immerse themselves in the rich mosaic of experiences that the Philippines proudly offers. As the nation embraces these extended weekends with open arms, the hope remains high for a vibrant transformation of the tourism sector and a profound appreciation for the manifold wonders encapsulated within the Philippines' diverse landscape,” Frasco added.
